On its 74th anniversary, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippines is enhancing services provided to citizens in need and simplifying procedures for minors traveling abroad. During a ceremonial event on February 18, the Secretary of Social Welfare Rex Gatchalian stated the commitment to digitizing regulatory services of the department.
"We want to ensure the simplicity of management," Gatchalian emphasized in his speech. The main goal of this process has become the digital platform named DSWD-Harmonized Electronic License and Permit System (HELPS), which streamlines the registration and licensing processes of organizations for social welfare and development (SWDA).
"Previously, obtaining permission for operational activities and accreditation was a daunting task, making it both unwelcoming and complex," Gatchalian added. With the new system, the steps for registration and accreditation have reduced from 49 to 12, and the number of documents required has decreased from 50 to 11.
"We are not only optimizing the process, reducing waiting times for receiving permits for activities, but also simplifying it from six months to seven days," Gatchalian reported. Additionally, in the realm of digital services, the department has also streamlined the process for social workers, who are required to appear at court hearings.
The new system also allows applicants to begin interviews from the comfort of their own home on any given day. In the near future, a simpler procedure will be introduced for social workers wishing to become family consultants. An automated portal named Minors Traveling Abroad has also been introduced, which simplifies obtaining permission for travel abroad by minors without the presence of their parents or guardians.
Gatchalian emphasized that the new system minimizes risks for children, excluding physical presence when submitting documents.
